Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan acquitted in state secrets case, but to stay in jail

ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan was acquitted by a Pakistani high court on Monday, clearing him of charges related to leaking state secrets. Despite the acquittal, he will remain in prison due to a separate conviction.

A lower court sentenced Khan, 71, to 10 years in prison for disclosing a classified cable. The cable was sent to Islamabad by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington in 2022.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who was Khan’s foreign minister during his tenure from 2018-2022, was also acquitted of the charges.

Khan’s acquittal doesn’t mean his release; he’s convicted in another case linked to his marriage, defying Islamic traditions.

Imran Khan’s acquittal in the state secrets case comes after months of legal proceedings and intense public scrutiny. Nonetheless, supporters of Imran Khan have expressed relief at the court’s decision, viewing it as a vindication of his innocence.

As Imran Khan continues to navigate the legal system, the implications of his acquittal reverberate throughout Pakistan. Political analysts predict that his acquittal could galvanize his supporters and bolster his standing as a formidable force in Pakistani politics.

However, critics argue that the decision to keep him in jail could further polarize the nation and fuel unrest among his followers. Only time will tell how Imran Khan’s acquittal will shape the future of Pakistan’s political landscape.
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